More than 100 traffickers in custody after St. Louis region heroin roundup

The Drug Enforcement Administration and about two dozen St. Louis-area police agencies are arresting more than 100 traffickers in a heroin roundup.

The arrests began Tuesday morning. By midday, nearly 50 traffickers were in custody. The DEA's St. Louis agent in charge, Harry Sommers, told The Associated Press that all told, 104 traffickers were expected to be arrested.

Sommers says the goal is to put a dent in the local heroin market and send a message to users, dealers and traffickers that police are out to get them.

The roundup covered a wide area, from Lincoln County, Mo., through St. Louis city and county and into Illinois.

The arrests come amid growing concerns about heroin, which is causing a spike in overdose deaths.